This book will not be for sale until March 24th, but I received an Advanced Reader’s Edition through LibraryThing.
Serendipity is a story involving 4 generations of women. The book begins with Carrie, who has just lost her mother, Rose. Carrie has never been able to follow through with things; a chocolate business she started with her best friend and then sold, an engagement that was called off, etc. She decides to investigate her past and find out why her mother hadn’t talked to her grandmother in 35 years. She visits all the people she can think of until she finally has to visit a grandmother she’s never known.
It’s a story of famous ancestors and secrets revealed. And for Carrie, the knowledge she gains about her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother gives her the power to move on with her life and the understanding of where she comes from.
The actual characters in the book were not women I admired or respected. Most of the women were selfish and proud and wanted to be famous. I understand there are women like that in the world, but I can’t really relate to women who can’t hug their own daughters or give them the love and attention they desire. It was, however, an interesting read. We can’t pick who we come from, but we can learn from their mistakes. I was pleased with the ending and the book did get better further in. I couldn’t stop reading once I was deep into the story.
I am interested in more books by Louise Shaffer, but would probably not read this one again.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars.